Post by Hayate on Aug 8, 2007 16:35:45 GMT -5
~ Previously on Infected! ~
Batsu: I challenge you to a one-on-one steam bike race!
Hayate: Uh… I’m actually kinda busy right now…
Batsu: …Oh… I get it… You’re chicken!
Hayate: What!? I’m not chicken!! Let’s race!!!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Is this…Hulle Granz? But it feels…different somehow…
*Hayate puts his bike away and walks into the chapel; the Tri-Edge sign he saw there before was gone, and there was also a statue of a girl that wasn’t there before*
Hayate: What happened? Where’d that statue come from?
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Could you tell me what today’s date is?
PC: It’s the 27th of April.
Hayate: I know! But what year is it!?
PC: …2010.
Hayate: …No way… I went back in time?!?!?
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Tell me! Do you know if Daisuke Kojima has a character in this game?
Helba: Hmm… Ah, yes! Now I remember! He usually strays around in the back alleys of Carmina Gadelica. His character name is EB.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: …Mr. Kojima, I need your help. I’m from the future, and I need your help to get back to the year 2037.
EB: …Great Scott… Do you realize what this means? It means…that I can’t read minds at all! My experiment was a failure! *runs off crying*
Hayate: W-Wait!!! Mr. Kojima, come back!!!
~ And now…the conclusion of “Timeless Tribulations” ~
~ Highland City of Dun Loireag; April 27, 2010 ~
*Hayate pounds his hand on EB’s online workshop*
Hayate: Mr. Kojima! Open up! I really need to talk to you!
EB: *from inside the workshop* Go away! Nobody’s home!
Hayate: But it’s an emergency!
EB: Sorry! I’m not here at the moment! Please leave a message after the beep! BEEP!
Hayate: Oh, come on! This is a workshop, not a telephone!
EB: Good point! But I’m still not coming out!
Hayate: …Argh!! Fine!! *kicks door harshly* OW!!!!! Damn, that hurt!! (In all the excitement, I forgot that I’m inside the game…)
*defeated, Hayate sits down and rests against the front door of the workshop*
Hayate: *sigh* Great… I’m stuck in the year 2010 all because of Kojima’s freakin’ Principle…
EB: …Kojima’s Principle?!?
*EB opens the door swiftly, causing Hayate to fall back*
Hayate: Whoa!
EB: What do you know about Kojima’s Principle, boy!?
Hayate: Uh… Something about steam bikes going over 100 MPH or whatever…
EB: GREAT SCOTT!!! You know of my steam bike system?!?
Hayate: …Yeah…
EB: *pulls Hayate up* Show me!!!
Hayate: …O-Okay…
*Hayate and EB visit a random grassy field, where EB shows Hayate his schematics of the steam bike*
EB: I was going to implement this system in a new game that CC Corp. is currently developing…
Hayate: …I see… Well, take a look…
*Hayate takes out his steam bike; EB walks around it to examine it*
EB: …Great Scott… The steam bike… My creation… You are telling the truth, aren’t you, boy!? You traveled through time on a vehicle whose design that I invented due to a theory on data that I conceived!?
Hayate: Uh… Yes?
EB: …Oh, this is remarkable… Quickly! Let us retire to my workshop!
~ Highland City of Dun Loireag; April 27, 2010 ~
*…EB’s Workshop…*
Hayate: …and then there was this huge flash of light, and I found myself in Hulle Gra--uh, H-Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground.
EB: Amazing… What a tale… Then what happened!?
Hayate: Well, I tried going back to my time in the same way I got here – by going over 100 MPH on the bike – but even when I hit 110, nothing happened.
EB: Hmm… I think I may know what the problem is… The World that you’re familiar with – the one in the future – may be so advanced, that all of the data that it’s comprised of makes the data easily breakable. But this version of The World doesn’t have as much data clusters in it, making the data more “hardened”.
Hayate: …Uh…
EB: Well, put simply, your “The World” has more data cluttering its systems than our “The World” does. And the more data an online game has, the more fragile its data becomes.
Hayate: Oh, I get it now. So what do we do now?
EB: We’ll have to surge an immense amount of energy through the steam bike as it’s going at its top speed, energy that will allow the steam bike to stretch the data around it enough to create another data rift.
Hayate: How do we do that?
EB: I’m not sure. I’ll look into the matter. Until then, you’ll have to bear and grin it through the situation.
Hayate: *sigh* (Easy for you to say…) …I’m gonna go take a look around town.
EB: I’d advise against that! With you in the past, there’s no telling what effect your loitering will have on the future! If you must go out into the open, try not to let yourself be seen!
Hayate: Got it--
EB: And if you must let yourself be seen, try not to attract too much attention!
Hayate: Okay, Dr. Koji--
EB: And if you must attract attention--
Hayate: Doc!!!
EB: …
Hayate: I got it! So chill out already! …Sheesh… *leaves*
*outside the workshop, Hayate takes a look around*
Hayate: Okay… How does a guy pass the time in a place like this? …Hmm?
*just then, he sees Gardenia warp through the Chaos Gate*
Hayate: (Mom…) *runs up to the Chaos Gate* …Let’s see here… Soft Solitary Tri-Pansy? …This revision has some weird area words…
*Hayate follows Gardenia to q Soft Solitary Tri-Pansy; inside the dungeon, he sees Gardenia go deeper into the dungeon; he tries to follow her, but is stopped by the Miss Gardenia Fan Club*
Club Member 1: Hi!
Hayate: Aah!! *falls over*
Club Member 1: Uh… You okay?
Hayate: *stands up and dusts self off* Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.
Club Member 2: Have you come to show your support to Miss Gardenia too?
Hayate: Uh… Support?
Club Member 3: *gasp* Don’t tell us you’ve never heard of the Miss Gardenia Fan Club!
Hayate: Fan club?!? My mom has a fan club?!?
Club Member 1: What was that?
Hayate: Uh… I-It was nothing! Excuse me! *runs past the fan club and into the dungeon*
Club Member 4: Wait!! At least take a flyer with you!!
*near the end of the dungeon, Hayate finally catches up with Gardenia*
Hayate: (There she is… I wonder what she’s doing…)
Gardenia: … *stops walking*
Hayate: *gasp* *goes into hiding*
Gardenia: … *continues walking*
Hayate: … *continues following*
Gardenia: … *stops walking*
Hayate: *gasp* *goes into hiding*
Gardenia: …*turns around* Come out! I know you’re there!
Hayate: *gulp* *slowly steps out of the shadows* Hehehe…
Gardenia: You again… Are you following me?!? What is it you want?!?
Hayate: N-Nothing! I was just…
*Gardenia suddenly walks up to Hayate and stares at him*
Hayate: Uh… W-What?
Gardenia: …You look familiar. Have we met before? And I don’t mean earlier today.
Hayate: N-No, we haven’t.
Gardenia: Hmm… *takes out Long Arm spear*
Hayate: (Oh, crap! She’s totally gonna waste me!) *shuts eyes*
*suddenly, Hayate feels something being placed in his hand*
Hayate: Huh?
*he opens his eyes to see a three-pronged spear in his hands*
Gardenia: …If I give that to you, will you leave me alone?
Hayate: …Uh…
Gardenia: Not very articulate, are you? Hmph! Whatever. I’m leaving. *goes to the final chamber of the dungeon*
Hayate: H-Hey, wait! …Uh… *looks down at the spear* …Hmm…
: Hey, you.
Hayate: Aah!! *falls over* What!?
*looking up, Hayate sees the orange-robed Twin Blade he saw at Hulle Granz*
Hayate: …Hey, you’re that…
Twin Blade: Did you see a yellow-haired Long Arm come through here? I have a letter to deliver to her.
Hayate: Oh… She went further in.
Twin Blade: Okay, thanks! *runs ahead*
Hayate: (The element of surprise must be rampant in this revision…) *sigh*
*Hayate warps back to Dun Loireag, where he encounters Piros and Natsume*
Piros: Hark, he of fair eyes!
Hayate: Aah!! *falls over* (Why does everyone keep doing that?!?) *looks up* …Piros!? What’re you doing here!?
Piros: Huh? Dost thou know of me, he of fair eyes?
Hayate: (Wait… This can’t be Piros VIII… Must be his ancestor or something…) Never mind…
Natsume: Well, anyway, are you going to see the cherry lightning storm?
Hayate: What’s a…cherry lightning storm?
Natsume: You’ve never heard of the cherry lightning storm?!? It’s only one of the greatest wonders of The World! You haven’t lived until you’ve seen it!
Piros: Every 6 years, at the area W Grand Thunderous Crest, at 10:00 PM, there is a great thunderstorm that generates lightning as red as blood! Then, at precisely 10:04 PM, a lightning bolt strikes the highest mountaintop in the area, creating a field of lights even more beautiful than fireworks! Thus, the cherry lightning storm!
Hayate: Wow…
Natsume: *hands flyer to Hayate* The storm takes place this Friday! Don’t miss it!
*Hayate looks down at the flyer as Piros and Natsume log out*
Hayate: …The cherry lightning storm… *gasp* That’s it! *runs over to EB’s workshop* Doc!!! I have an idea!!!
*…EB’s Workshop…*
EB: *looks at the flyer* Hmm…
Hayate: …
EB: …Yes!!! This just might work!!! With the energy from the lightning bolt surging through the steam bike, it just may be enough to create a data rift for you to return to 2037!!!
Hayate: For real!?
EB: Indeed! Hayate, my boy, this Friday, we’re sending you…BACK TO THE FUTURE!!!
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Not so loud, Doc, or else you’ll get us sued…
~ W Grand Thunderous Crest; April 30, 2010 ~
*on the highest mountaintop, Hayate and EB begin outfitting the steam bike*
EB: Three minutes to 10:00… Any sign of the thundercloud, Hayate?
Hayate: *looking through binoculars* Yup! It’s coming this way!
EB: *looks down at the mountain’s base* Looks like people have started to gather already – and for good reason. This is gonna be one hell of a lightshow.
Hayate: *looks down* Yup. …Huh?
*Hayate sees Gardenia gate into the area*
Hayate: (…Mom…) *gasp*
*he then sees a data bug appear in front of the crowd of players*
Hayate: Doc! What the hell is that thing!?
EB: Huh? …GREAT SCOTT!!! There aren’t supposed to be any monsters in this area!
Hayate: Well, something’s gotta be done! That monster doesn’t look normal!
EB: NO!!! Our only concern right now is getting you back to your own time!
Hayate: Grrrr…
*the data bug takes out all of the players except Gardenia*
Data Bug: *roar*
Gardenia: …
Hayate: (Oh, man… I can’t believe I’m doing this…)
*Hayate draws his blade and dashes off of the mountaintop, falling towards the data bug*
EB: Hayate!!! What are you doing?!? You only have six minutes!!!
Hayate: I won’t be long!!!
EB: *sees the thundercloud getting closer* …Great Scott…
*at the mountain’s base, the data bug slowly approaches Gardenia*
Gardenia: Tch…!
*suddenly, Hayate is seen falling from above as he thrusts his blade into the data bug’s head*
Hayate: Stay away from her, you freak!
Gardenia: Y-You! What are you doing here!?
Hayate: It’s a long story! Now get out of here!
Gardenia: I don’t take orders from you!
Hayate: (Yup… She’s definitely my mother…) …Huh!?
*suddenly, the data bug shakes Hayate off, leaving the blade in its head and Hayate weaponless*
Hayate: Okay… This can’t be good…
Gardenia: Do you always act before you think?!?
Hayate: Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying!!
Gardenia: *scoff* You are such an idiot…
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Hayate: Uh-oh! I don’t think now’s the time for arguing!
*the data bug is about to strike Gardenia*
Hayate: Get down!
*Hayate suddenly tackles Gardenia to the ground, causing the data bug’s attack to miss*
Hayate: Whew… You okay?
Gardenia: …Yeah… Now could you get off of me?
Hayate: (Hmph! Well, excuse me for helping!)
Data Bug: *roar*
Hayate: How the heck do we take this thing out!?
Gardenia: …If only he were here…
Hayate: “He”? Who’s “he”?
*the data bug prepares to strike again; Hayate and Gardenia defend themselves and shut their eyes*
: …Twin Dragons!!!
Hayate: Huh?
*suddenly, the orange-garbed Twin Blade comes out of nowhere and attacks the data bug with a series of fiery slashes and stabs*
Hayate: (Hey! It’s that guy again!)
Gardenia: Kite!
Hayate: KITE?!?!? THAT’S KITE?!?!?
*Kite continues to attack the data bug until a green shield appears around it and shatters*
Kite: There!
*just then, a strange polygonal bracelet appears around Kite’s right wrist, which he aims at the data bug*
Kite: DATA DRAIN!!!!!
*a thin, bright beam shoots forth from the bracelet and pierces the data bug’s flesh, rewriting its data and turning it into a regular monster; the monster then runs away*
Kite: *sigh* Glad that’s over…
Hayate: Whoa… Data Drain… That was awesome!
Kite: Hehe! It was nothing!
Hayate: (Wow… The legendary .hacker Kite… He’s so much cooler than mom said he was…)
Gardenia: …Hey.
Hayate: Huh?
*Hayate turns to Gardenia, who was blushing a little*
Gardenia: …Listen… I know your heart was in the right place, so… Y’know… Thanks for helping me out…
Hayate: Oh. It was my pleasure.
Gardenia: …But I still think you’re a complete idiot who acts before thinking!
Hayate: H-Hey!
Kite: Uh, guys? What’s that?
Gardenia: That’s the cherry lightning storm, Kite. I thought you knew about it.
Kite: No, not the storm! That flashing light up there on the mountain!
*Kite, Hayate, and Gardenia see EB flashing a message in Morse code*
Gardenia: “…Forty…five…seconds…”? What’s that mean?
Hayate: OH, CRAP!!!!! I GOTTA GET GOING!!!!! *runs towards the mountain*
Kite: …What a weird player…
Gardenia: …You have no idea…
*on the mountaintop…*
Hayate: *out of breath* Okay… I’m here, Doc…
EB: It’s about time!!! Now get on the bike!!!
*Hayate mounts his steam bike, equipped with a lightning rod*
EB: Now! When you get to the other end of the mountain, I’ll wave this flag! That’ll be your cue to hit the gas! If you manage to get to 100 MPH before you reach the mountain peak, the lightning bolt will send enough energy through the bike to create a data rift!
Hayate: Hey, Doc? Even if I manage to make a rift, how do you know that it’ll send me back to 2037?
EB: …Actually, I don’t know! It’s all just speculation!
Hayate: Speculation?!? You mean I’m doing all this based on a guess?!?
EB: *looks at internal game clock* Great Scott!!! Quickly, get moving!!! You only have 17 seconds left!!!
Hayate: …Perfect… *drives away*
*Hayate positions the bike at the end of the mountain and waits for EB’s signal*
EB: Ready… Set… *waves flag* GO!!!!!
*Hayate revs up the bike and zooms forward, hitting 100 MPH in only a few seconds*
EB: Come on… Come on…
*just as Hayate reaches the peak of the mountain, the 10:04 lightning bolt strikes the lightning rod, surging energy through the steam bike*
Hayate: Please work!!!
*just as before, the data around the bike begins to distort and the bike emits a faint blue glow; then, in a condensed white light, the bike speeds through a data rift, leaving a trail of fire in midair*
EB: …
*as the thundercloud moves away, EB approaches the airborne trail of fire*
EB: …It worked… It worked!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! IT REALLY WORKED!!!!! *sigh* 2037… Truly amazing…
*meanwhile, in the year 2037, Hayate and Batsu continue their bike race, both of them going at 100 MPH; suddenly, the data around Hayate begin to distort and his bike emits a faint blue glow*
Hayate: Huh? What’s going on?
Batsu: Hey, kid! Knock off the stupid lightshow!
Hayate: It’s not me that doing it!
*in a condensed white light, Hayate’s bike speeds through a data rift, leaving a trail of fire; after crossing the finish line, Batsu dismounts his bike and looks around*
Batsu: The hell!? Where’d he go?!?
Biker 1: He just…vanished!!!
*just then, Batsu feels a gust of wind rush at himself from behind; turning around, he sees Hayate standing victoriously by his steam bike*
Hayate: *smirk* Looks like I win!
Batsu: What?!? No f**kin’ way!!! You cheated!!! I know you did!!!
Hayate: Oh, really!? I cheated!? Just like you cheated by removing your bike’s limiter!?
Batsu: Grrrr…
Hayate: But, hey, you don’t have to take my word for it! Why don’t we see what Haseo or Endrance think?
Batsu: Pffff! Nice try, brat! You can’t prove anything!
Hayate: Oh, can’t I?
*Hayate turns Batsu’s attention to Batsu’s steam bike’s speedometer; it read 102*
Batsu: S-So!? What about yours!?
*Batsu turns Hayate’s attention to Hayate’s bike’s speedometer; it read 103*
Batsu: See that!? You take me down, you take yourself down too!!
Hayate: This race was a sham and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove it, even if I get my steam bike license revoked… *smirk* …But what about you, huh? How’s the Supersoniks guildmaster gonna look if he doesn’t even have a bike?
Batsu: Grrrr… Supersoniks, let’s ride!
*the other Supersoniks all ride towards the Chaos Gate; Batsu mounts his steam bike*
Batsu: Don’t think it’s over between us! One day, I’m gonna take that title away from you! *rides away*
Hayate: …I’ll be waiting…
*Hayate uses the Chaos Gate to return to Mac Anu*
Hayate: …It worked… I’m home!
*Hayate quickly heads over to the Glaive LeGable @home*
Orion: Hmm? Oh, Hayate, you’re here.
Coolidge: It’s about time! We’ve been waiting forever!
Neon: Where’ve you been?
Usa-chan: Yeah! It’s rude to keep friends waiting!
Hayate: Orion… Coolidge… Neon… Usa-chan…
*just then, Hayate’s eyes begin to water*
Hayate: You’re all really here…
*suddenly, Izumi walks in*
Izumi: Hmm? Oh, Hayate! Welcome back!
Hayate: *turns to Izumi* …Izumi…
*just then, Hayate wraps his arms around Izumi*
Coolidge: HA!!! I knew it!!! I freakin’ knew it!!!
Izumi: H-Hayate? What’s gotten into you?
Hayate: Let’s just say…that I’ve been on a trip for a while now… A really long trip…
Neon: …Trip? Hayate, it’s only been 2 hours…
Hayate: Well, what felt like 2 hours to you felt like a whole week to me…
Orion: …Hayate, are you feeling alright?
Hayate: *wipes away tears* Yeah. I’m feeling great, Orion.
*suddenly, Hayate feels a strange sensation inside him*
Hayate: Huh?
*Hayate draws the three-pronged spear Gardenia gave him in the past*
Hayate: (Mom’s weapon…)
Orion: H-Hayate! Where did you find that!?
Hayate: Uh…
Gardenia: *takes out Long Arm spear and gives it to Hayate*
Hayate: Huh?
Gardenia: If I give that to you, will you leave me alone?
Hayate: …Uh…
Hayate: ……I found it.
Orion: *takes spear and examines it* …Yes… There’s no mistaking it! It’s Gardenia’s Lance!
Coolidge: For real!?
Izumi: Congratulations, Hayate! You found one of the .hack//Arms all by yourself!
Hayate: Well… Not necessarily by myself…
Izumi: Oh? You had help?
Hayate: …You could say that. By the way, Izumi…
Izumi: Yes?
Hayate: …Tell your grandfather that Hayate says thanks, okay?
Izumi: Uh… What?
Hayate: Hehehehe…
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Piros VIII: *tremble* I sense a disturbance in the force!
Kyuzo: *groan* Piros, what did I say about sensing disturbances in the force?
Piros VIII: Uh… *falls through trapdoor* AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Announcer: Unbelievable! She’s done it again, ladies and gentlemen! Tsukiyomi, the Flower of Lumina Cloth, has conquered the Holy Palace Singles Division!
Tsukiyomi: …Hmph!
~*~*~*~
Claire: My guildmaster wants to meet you.
Tsukiyomi: Oh, really? Well, I don’t wanna meet him.
Claire: It wasn’t a request… *draws gauntlets* …It was an order!
~*~*~*~
Tsukiyomi: …Hey. Let’s have an Arena battle.
Hayate: Huh?
Tsukiyomi: If you beat me, I’ll join your guild.
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: ATTACK!!!
~*~*~*~
Samekh: …You’re the Samurai 7, are you not?
Jack Russell: What’s it to you, buddy?
Samekh: … *smirk* …I wish to join.
14th Phase: A Formidable Flower!
Batsu: I challenge you to a one-on-one steam bike race!
Hayate: Uh… I’m actually kinda busy right now…
Batsu: …Oh… I get it… You’re chicken!
Hayate: What!? I’m not chicken!! Let’s race!!!
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Is this…Hulle Granz? But it feels…different somehow…
*Hayate puts his bike away and walks into the chapel; the Tri-Edge sign he saw there before was gone, and there was also a statue of a girl that wasn’t there before*
Hayate: What happened? Where’d that statue come from?
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Could you tell me what today’s date is?
PC: It’s the 27th of April.
Hayate: I know! But what year is it!?
PC: …2010.
Hayate: …No way… I went back in time?!?!?
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Tell me! Do you know if Daisuke Kojima has a character in this game?
Helba: Hmm… Ah, yes! Now I remember! He usually strays around in the back alleys of Carmina Gadelica. His character name is EB.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: …Mr. Kojima, I need your help. I’m from the future, and I need your help to get back to the year 2037.
EB: …Great Scott… Do you realize what this means? It means…that I can’t read minds at all! My experiment was a failure! *runs off crying*
Hayate: W-Wait!!! Mr. Kojima, come back!!!
~ And now…the conclusion of “Timeless Tribulations” ~
~ Highland City of Dun Loireag; April 27, 2010 ~
*Hayate pounds his hand on EB’s online workshop*
Hayate: Mr. Kojima! Open up! I really need to talk to you!
EB: *from inside the workshop* Go away! Nobody’s home!
Hayate: But it’s an emergency!
EB: Sorry! I’m not here at the moment! Please leave a message after the beep! BEEP!
Hayate: Oh, come on! This is a workshop, not a telephone!
EB: Good point! But I’m still not coming out!
Hayate: …Argh!! Fine!! *kicks door harshly* OW!!!!! Damn, that hurt!! (In all the excitement, I forgot that I’m inside the game…)
*defeated, Hayate sits down and rests against the front door of the workshop*
Hayate: *sigh* Great… I’m stuck in the year 2010 all because of Kojima’s freakin’ Principle…
EB: …Kojima’s Principle?!?
*EB opens the door swiftly, causing Hayate to fall back*
Hayate: Whoa!
EB: What do you know about Kojima’s Principle, boy!?
Hayate: Uh… Something about steam bikes going over 100 MPH or whatever…
EB: GREAT SCOTT!!! You know of my steam bike system?!?
Hayate: …Yeah…
EB: *pulls Hayate up* Show me!!!
Hayate: …O-Okay…
*Hayate and EB visit a random grassy field, where EB shows Hayate his schematics of the steam bike*
EB: I was going to implement this system in a new game that CC Corp. is currently developing…
Hayate: …I see… Well, take a look…
*Hayate takes out his steam bike; EB walks around it to examine it*
EB: …Great Scott… The steam bike… My creation… You are telling the truth, aren’t you, boy!? You traveled through time on a vehicle whose design that I invented due to a theory on data that I conceived!?
Hayate: Uh… Yes?
EB: …Oh, this is remarkable… Quickly! Let us retire to my workshop!
~ Highland City of Dun Loireag; April 27, 2010 ~
*…EB’s Workshop…*
Hayate: …and then there was this huge flash of light, and I found myself in Hulle Gra--uh, H-Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground.
EB: Amazing… What a tale… Then what happened!?
Hayate: Well, I tried going back to my time in the same way I got here – by going over 100 MPH on the bike – but even when I hit 110, nothing happened.
EB: Hmm… I think I may know what the problem is… The World that you’re familiar with – the one in the future – may be so advanced, that all of the data that it’s comprised of makes the data easily breakable. But this version of The World doesn’t have as much data clusters in it, making the data more “hardened”.
Hayate: …Uh…
EB: Well, put simply, your “The World” has more data cluttering its systems than our “The World” does. And the more data an online game has, the more fragile its data becomes.
Hayate: Oh, I get it now. So what do we do now?
EB: We’ll have to surge an immense amount of energy through the steam bike as it’s going at its top speed, energy that will allow the steam bike to stretch the data around it enough to create another data rift.
Hayate: How do we do that?
EB: I’m not sure. I’ll look into the matter. Until then, you’ll have to bear and grin it through the situation.
Hayate: *sigh* (Easy for you to say…) …I’m gonna go take a look around town.
EB: I’d advise against that! With you in the past, there’s no telling what effect your loitering will have on the future! If you must go out into the open, try not to let yourself be seen!
Hayate: Got it--
EB: And if you must let yourself be seen, try not to attract too much attention!
Hayate: Okay, Dr. Koji--
EB: And if you must attract attention--
Hayate: Doc!!!
EB: …
Hayate: I got it! So chill out already! …Sheesh… *leaves*
*outside the workshop, Hayate takes a look around*
Hayate: Okay… How does a guy pass the time in a place like this? …Hmm?
*just then, he sees Gardenia warp through the Chaos Gate*
Hayate: (Mom…) *runs up to the Chaos Gate* …Let’s see here… Soft Solitary Tri-Pansy? …This revision has some weird area words…
*Hayate follows Gardenia to q Soft Solitary Tri-Pansy; inside the dungeon, he sees Gardenia go deeper into the dungeon; he tries to follow her, but is stopped by the Miss Gardenia Fan Club*
Club Member 1: Hi!
Hayate: Aah!! *falls over*
Club Member 1: Uh… You okay?
Hayate: *stands up and dusts self off* Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.
Club Member 2: Have you come to show your support to Miss Gardenia too?
Hayate: Uh… Support?
Club Member 3: *gasp* Don’t tell us you’ve never heard of the Miss Gardenia Fan Club!
Hayate: Fan club?!? My mom has a fan club?!?
Club Member 1: What was that?
Hayate: Uh… I-It was nothing! Excuse me! *runs past the fan club and into the dungeon*
Club Member 4: Wait!! At least take a flyer with you!!
*near the end of the dungeon, Hayate finally catches up with Gardenia*
Hayate: (There she is… I wonder what she’s doing…)
Gardenia: … *stops walking*
Hayate: *gasp* *goes into hiding*
Gardenia: … *continues walking*
Hayate: … *continues following*
Gardenia: … *stops walking*
Hayate: *gasp* *goes into hiding*
Gardenia: …*turns around* Come out! I know you’re there!
Hayate: *gulp* *slowly steps out of the shadows* Hehehe…
Gardenia: You again… Are you following me?!? What is it you want?!?
Hayate: N-Nothing! I was just…
*Gardenia suddenly walks up to Hayate and stares at him*
Hayate: Uh… W-What?
Gardenia: …You look familiar. Have we met before? And I don’t mean earlier today.
Hayate: N-No, we haven’t.
Gardenia: Hmm… *takes out Long Arm spear*
Hayate: (Oh, crap! She’s totally gonna waste me!) *shuts eyes*
*suddenly, Hayate feels something being placed in his hand*
Hayate: Huh?
*he opens his eyes to see a three-pronged spear in his hands*
Gardenia: …If I give that to you, will you leave me alone?
Hayate: …Uh…
Gardenia: Not very articulate, are you? Hmph! Whatever. I’m leaving. *goes to the final chamber of the dungeon*
Hayate: H-Hey, wait! …Uh… *looks down at the spear* …Hmm…
: Hey, you.Hayate: Aah!! *falls over* What!?
*looking up, Hayate sees the orange-robed Twin Blade he saw at Hulle Granz*
Hayate: …Hey, you’re that…
Twin Blade: Did you see a yellow-haired Long Arm come through here? I have a letter to deliver to her.
Hayate: Oh… She went further in.
Twin Blade: Okay, thanks! *runs ahead*
Hayate: (The element of surprise must be rampant in this revision…) *sigh*
*Hayate warps back to Dun Loireag, where he encounters Piros and Natsume*
Piros: Hark, he of fair eyes!
Hayate: Aah!! *falls over* (Why does everyone keep doing that?!?) *looks up* …Piros!? What’re you doing here!?
Piros: Huh? Dost thou know of me, he of fair eyes?
Hayate: (Wait… This can’t be Piros VIII… Must be his ancestor or something…) Never mind…
Natsume: Well, anyway, are you going to see the cherry lightning storm?
Hayate: What’s a…cherry lightning storm?
Natsume: You’ve never heard of the cherry lightning storm?!? It’s only one of the greatest wonders of The World! You haven’t lived until you’ve seen it!
Piros: Every 6 years, at the area W Grand Thunderous Crest, at 10:00 PM, there is a great thunderstorm that generates lightning as red as blood! Then, at precisely 10:04 PM, a lightning bolt strikes the highest mountaintop in the area, creating a field of lights even more beautiful than fireworks! Thus, the cherry lightning storm!
Hayate: Wow…
Natsume: *hands flyer to Hayate* The storm takes place this Friday! Don’t miss it!
*Hayate looks down at the flyer as Piros and Natsume log out*
Hayate: …The cherry lightning storm… *gasp* That’s it! *runs over to EB’s workshop* Doc!!! I have an idea!!!
*…EB’s Workshop…*
EB: *looks at the flyer* Hmm…
Hayate: …
EB: …Yes!!! This just might work!!! With the energy from the lightning bolt surging through the steam bike, it just may be enough to create a data rift for you to return to 2037!!!
Hayate: For real!?
EB: Indeed! Hayate, my boy, this Friday, we’re sending you…BACK TO THE FUTURE!!!
Hayate: *sweatdrop* …Not so loud, Doc, or else you’ll get us sued…
~ W Grand Thunderous Crest; April 30, 2010 ~
*on the highest mountaintop, Hayate and EB begin outfitting the steam bike*
EB: Three minutes to 10:00… Any sign of the thundercloud, Hayate?
Hayate: *looking through binoculars* Yup! It’s coming this way!
EB: *looks down at the mountain’s base* Looks like people have started to gather already – and for good reason. This is gonna be one hell of a lightshow.
Hayate: *looks down* Yup. …Huh?
*Hayate sees Gardenia gate into the area*
Hayate: (…Mom…) *gasp*
*he then sees a data bug appear in front of the crowd of players*
Hayate: Doc! What the hell is that thing!?
EB: Huh? …GREAT SCOTT!!! There aren’t supposed to be any monsters in this area!
Hayate: Well, something’s gotta be done! That monster doesn’t look normal!
EB: NO!!! Our only concern right now is getting you back to your own time!
Hayate: Grrrr…
*the data bug takes out all of the players except Gardenia*
Data Bug: *roar*
Gardenia: …
Hayate: (Oh, man… I can’t believe I’m doing this…)
*Hayate draws his blade and dashes off of the mountaintop, falling towards the data bug*
EB: Hayate!!! What are you doing?!? You only have six minutes!!!
Hayate: I won’t be long!!!
EB: *sees the thundercloud getting closer* …Great Scott…
*at the mountain’s base, the data bug slowly approaches Gardenia*
Gardenia: Tch…!
*suddenly, Hayate is seen falling from above as he thrusts his blade into the data bug’s head*
Hayate: Stay away from her, you freak!
Gardenia: Y-You! What are you doing here!?
Hayate: It’s a long story! Now get out of here!
Gardenia: I don’t take orders from you!
Hayate: (Yup… She’s definitely my mother…) …Huh!?
*suddenly, the data bug shakes Hayate off, leaving the blade in its head and Hayate weaponless*
Hayate: Okay… This can’t be good…
Gardenia: Do you always act before you think?!?
Hayate: Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying!!
Gardenia: *scoff* You are such an idiot…
Data Bug: *loud roar*
Hayate: Uh-oh! I don’t think now’s the time for arguing!
*the data bug is about to strike Gardenia*
Hayate: Get down!
*Hayate suddenly tackles Gardenia to the ground, causing the data bug’s attack to miss*
Hayate: Whew… You okay?
Gardenia: …Yeah… Now could you get off of me?
Hayate: (Hmph! Well, excuse me for helping!)
Data Bug: *roar*
Hayate: How the heck do we take this thing out!?
Gardenia: …If only he were here…
Hayate: “He”? Who’s “he”?
*the data bug prepares to strike again; Hayate and Gardenia defend themselves and shut their eyes*
: …Twin Dragons!!!Hayate: Huh?
*suddenly, the orange-garbed Twin Blade comes out of nowhere and attacks the data bug with a series of fiery slashes and stabs*
Hayate: (Hey! It’s that guy again!)
Gardenia: Kite!
Hayate: KITE?!?!? THAT’S KITE?!?!?
*Kite continues to attack the data bug until a green shield appears around it and shatters*
Kite: There!
*just then, a strange polygonal bracelet appears around Kite’s right wrist, which he aims at the data bug*
Kite: DATA DRAIN!!!!!
*a thin, bright beam shoots forth from the bracelet and pierces the data bug’s flesh, rewriting its data and turning it into a regular monster; the monster then runs away*
Kite: *sigh* Glad that’s over…
Hayate: Whoa… Data Drain… That was awesome!
Kite: Hehe! It was nothing!
Hayate: (Wow… The legendary .hacker Kite… He’s so much cooler than mom said he was…)
Gardenia: …Hey.
Hayate: Huh?
*Hayate turns to Gardenia, who was blushing a little*
Gardenia: …Listen… I know your heart was in the right place, so… Y’know… Thanks for helping me out…
Hayate: Oh. It was my pleasure.
Gardenia: …But I still think you’re a complete idiot who acts before thinking!
Hayate: H-Hey!
Kite: Uh, guys? What’s that?
Gardenia: That’s the cherry lightning storm, Kite. I thought you knew about it.
Kite: No, not the storm! That flashing light up there on the mountain!
*Kite, Hayate, and Gardenia see EB flashing a message in Morse code*
Gardenia: “…Forty…five…seconds…”? What’s that mean?
Hayate: OH, CRAP!!!!! I GOTTA GET GOING!!!!! *runs towards the mountain*
Kite: …What a weird player…
Gardenia: …You have no idea…
*on the mountaintop…*
Hayate: *out of breath* Okay… I’m here, Doc…
EB: It’s about time!!! Now get on the bike!!!
*Hayate mounts his steam bike, equipped with a lightning rod*
EB: Now! When you get to the other end of the mountain, I’ll wave this flag! That’ll be your cue to hit the gas! If you manage to get to 100 MPH before you reach the mountain peak, the lightning bolt will send enough energy through the bike to create a data rift!
Hayate: Hey, Doc? Even if I manage to make a rift, how do you know that it’ll send me back to 2037?
EB: …Actually, I don’t know! It’s all just speculation!
Hayate: Speculation?!? You mean I’m doing all this based on a guess?!?
EB: *looks at internal game clock* Great Scott!!! Quickly, get moving!!! You only have 17 seconds left!!!
Hayate: …Perfect… *drives away*
*Hayate positions the bike at the end of the mountain and waits for EB’s signal*
EB: Ready… Set… *waves flag* GO!!!!!
*Hayate revs up the bike and zooms forward, hitting 100 MPH in only a few seconds*
EB: Come on… Come on…
*just as Hayate reaches the peak of the mountain, the 10:04 lightning bolt strikes the lightning rod, surging energy through the steam bike*
Hayate: Please work!!!
*just as before, the data around the bike begins to distort and the bike emits a faint blue glow; then, in a condensed white light, the bike speeds through a data rift, leaving a trail of fire in midair*
EB: …
*as the thundercloud moves away, EB approaches the airborne trail of fire*
EB: …It worked… It worked!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! IT REALLY WORKED!!!!! *sigh* 2037… Truly amazing…
*meanwhile, in the year 2037, Hayate and Batsu continue their bike race, both of them going at 100 MPH; suddenly, the data around Hayate begin to distort and his bike emits a faint blue glow*
Hayate: Huh? What’s going on?
Batsu: Hey, kid! Knock off the stupid lightshow!
Hayate: It’s not me that doing it!
*in a condensed white light, Hayate’s bike speeds through a data rift, leaving a trail of fire; after crossing the finish line, Batsu dismounts his bike and looks around*
Batsu: The hell!? Where’d he go?!?
Biker 1: He just…vanished!!!
*just then, Batsu feels a gust of wind rush at himself from behind; turning around, he sees Hayate standing victoriously by his steam bike*
Hayate: *smirk* Looks like I win!
Batsu: What?!? No f**kin’ way!!! You cheated!!! I know you did!!!
Hayate: Oh, really!? I cheated!? Just like you cheated by removing your bike’s limiter!?
Batsu: Grrrr…
Hayate: But, hey, you don’t have to take my word for it! Why don’t we see what Haseo or Endrance think?
Batsu: Pffff! Nice try, brat! You can’t prove anything!
Hayate: Oh, can’t I?
*Hayate turns Batsu’s attention to Batsu’s steam bike’s speedometer; it read 102*
Batsu: S-So!? What about yours!?
*Batsu turns Hayate’s attention to Hayate’s bike’s speedometer; it read 103*
Batsu: See that!? You take me down, you take yourself down too!!
Hayate: This race was a sham and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove it, even if I get my steam bike license revoked… *smirk* …But what about you, huh? How’s the Supersoniks guildmaster gonna look if he doesn’t even have a bike?
Batsu: Grrrr… Supersoniks, let’s ride!
*the other Supersoniks all ride towards the Chaos Gate; Batsu mounts his steam bike*
Batsu: Don’t think it’s over between us! One day, I’m gonna take that title away from you! *rides away*
Hayate: …I’ll be waiting…
*Hayate uses the Chaos Gate to return to Mac Anu*
Hayate: …It worked… I’m home!
*Hayate quickly heads over to the Glaive LeGable @home*
Orion: Hmm? Oh, Hayate, you’re here.
Coolidge: It’s about time! We’ve been waiting forever!
Neon: Where’ve you been?
Usa-chan: Yeah! It’s rude to keep friends waiting!
Hayate: Orion… Coolidge… Neon… Usa-chan…
*just then, Hayate’s eyes begin to water*
Hayate: You’re all really here…
*suddenly, Izumi walks in*
Izumi: Hmm? Oh, Hayate! Welcome back!
Hayate: *turns to Izumi* …Izumi…
*just then, Hayate wraps his arms around Izumi*
Coolidge: HA!!! I knew it!!! I freakin’ knew it!!!
Izumi: H-Hayate? What’s gotten into you?
Hayate: Let’s just say…that I’ve been on a trip for a while now… A really long trip…
Neon: …Trip? Hayate, it’s only been 2 hours…
Hayate: Well, what felt like 2 hours to you felt like a whole week to me…
Orion: …Hayate, are you feeling alright?
Hayate: *wipes away tears* Yeah. I’m feeling great, Orion.
*suddenly, Hayate feels a strange sensation inside him*
Hayate: Huh?
*Hayate draws the three-pronged spear Gardenia gave him in the past*
Hayate: (Mom’s weapon…)
Orion: H-Hayate! Where did you find that!?
Hayate: Uh…
Gardenia: *takes out Long Arm spear and gives it to Hayate*
Hayate: Huh?
Gardenia: If I give that to you, will you leave me alone?
Hayate: …Uh…
Hayate: ……I found it.
Orion: *takes spear and examines it* …Yes… There’s no mistaking it! It’s Gardenia’s Lance!
Coolidge: For real!?
Izumi: Congratulations, Hayate! You found one of the .hack//Arms all by yourself!
Hayate: Well… Not necessarily by myself…
Izumi: Oh? You had help?
Hayate: …You could say that. By the way, Izumi…
Izumi: Yes?
Hayate: …Tell your grandfather that Hayate says thanks, okay?
Izumi: Uh… What?
Hayate: Hehehehe…
*…Samurai 7 @home…*
Piros VIII: *tremble* I sense a disturbance in the force!
Kyuzo: *groan* Piros, what did I say about sensing disturbances in the force?
Piros VIII: Uh… *falls through trapdoor* AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Announcer: Unbelievable! She’s done it again, ladies and gentlemen! Tsukiyomi, the Flower of Lumina Cloth, has conquered the Holy Palace Singles Division!
Tsukiyomi: …Hmph!
~*~*~*~
Claire: My guildmaster wants to meet you.
Tsukiyomi: Oh, really? Well, I don’t wanna meet him.
Claire: It wasn’t a request… *draws gauntlets* …It was an order!
~*~*~*~
Tsukiyomi: …Hey. Let’s have an Arena battle.
Hayate: Huh?
Tsukiyomi: If you beat me, I’ll join your guild.
~*~*~*~
Kyuzo: ATTACK!!!
~*~*~*~
Samekh: …You’re the Samurai 7, are you not?
Jack Russell: What’s it to you, buddy?
Samekh: … *smirk* …I wish to join.
14th Phase: A Formidable Flower!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Storyline of Phase 13 inspired by “Back to the Future” movie series
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Storyline of Phase 13 inspired by “Back to the Future” movie series
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
